How Do Children’s Get the Book Bug? is not an article about research. Rather, it is about a family that reads, in both English and Welsh. This is lovely stuff! I especially enjoy the description of them reading aloud at the beach: “they were listening open-mouthed, staring into the distance.”
Month: April 2006
Graphic Growth
Graphic Novels are still growing! Nielsen Bookscan reports that they grew 35 percent from 2004 to 2005, which is right about the time that libraries started to get on the bandwagon. This article has all the stats, but also some real bad advice like reading about the genre before beginning to read the actual graphic novels. While that is fine for some, many understand the genre already because they read comics as children. The teens who read and love graphic novels are not worried about understanding the genre as a whole, they are just jumping right in and enjoying it. Try it!
Gossamer
Gossamer by Lois Lowry.
First, I must say that I am such a fan of Lowry’s that I probably am not being critical when I read her books. I have enjoyed all of her work to date, and continually look forward to her next book. So realize that this is a review written by a real fan.
Littlest One is a tiny, invisible spirit who is training to be a dream-giver. With her teacher, she learns to lightly touch items throughout the house she is assigned and bestow memories as dreams. Her first teacher, Fastidious, is unable to handle Littlest One’s energy and questions. Her next teacher, Thin Elderly does much better. Together Littlest One and Thin Elderly witness as a young boy arrives at the home of an elderly lady. The boy is filled with anger and memories that are less than pleasant, so the dream-givers struggle to find enough positive things to touch to fill his dreams. But as he spends more and more time with the woman, he starts to create positive memories there. What will happen though, when he is targeted by the evil Sinisteeds who bring awful tormenting dreams? Will Littlest One and Thin Elderly be able to help him through it?
I enjoyed entering Lowry’s imagination again. The idea of tiny beings who bestow sweet dreams to us is very appealing and magical. The characters are vividly rendered from the humans to the dream-givers. In Lowry’s distinctive writing style, we are carried into this story with complete belief that it is true and real. The depiction of a loving foster care giver is especially effective and the example of abuse used is both horrifying and at the right level for children to understand. Share this one with children who enjoy fantasy without dragons and knights or with children who enjoyed the Great Gilly Hopkins. It is another winner in Lowry’s body of work.
The Princess and the Pea
The Princess and the Pea by Lauren Child, photographed by Polly Borland.
This is a great read-aloud fairy tale for both boys and girls to enjoy! The book follows the same story as the classic fairy tale but has extra pizzazz. The text is zippy and fun, filled with asides and clarifications that make it a hoot to share. The illustrations are remarkable photographs of little theatrical sets filled with paper doll-like creations. There is a place for this book in every public library. It will find its audience of little girls very easily and parents will enjoy reading it aloud as much as children will enjoy listening. It is also a perfect book to share with a group, because of the marvelous pairing of the wit of the text and the fabulous illustrations.
Meow Ruff
Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Michelle Berg.
A more organized blogger would save this one for a Poetry Friday entry, but I am just so excited by this book that I can’t wait! This is one of my favorite books so far this year. It is a must-see book. Booklist starred it, and I resoundingly agree.
It is the story of a cat and dog who start out chasing each other but everything changes when they are caught in a rainstorm. The entire landscape and all of the characters are created out of poetry. Just reading across the pavement and the grass is amazing. The changing cloud poems really capture the essence of being a cloud. But my favorite has to be the tree poems that are so similar but so different. Lovely!
And this is one poetry book that truly invites children in. They probably will not recognize it as poetry at first, but that is part of its unique quality. There is a rhythm to the words that matches so well the illustrations. I was actually amazed after reading the book to find that it was done by two people rather than one. Share this with kids!
Enjoy!
The Amazing Story of Adolpus Tips
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo.
This book is framed by a modern story, but the heart of the book is the story of a girl living in Britain during World War II. The girl, Lily, has a cat named Tips who she adores and lives in a small village with her grandfather and her mother. Her father is off fighting in the War. Then her village is evacuated so that the Allies can practice their training for D-Day. When they evacuate, Lily loses Tips. But a wonderful American soldier is there to try to help her find the cat. The story has a great old-fashioned feel to it, combined with a spunky girl who never gives up. It captures a fascinating moment in history in a child-friendly way.
This would make a great read-aloud in classrooms that are studying World War II. It is appropriate for third through sixth graders. Recommend it to children interested in history or animal stories.
Lowry Updates
As has been mentioned on several other children’s lit blogs, Lois Lowry is now blogging! I have her new book Gossamer on my stack to read next (which is why I don’t ever make progress to the books on the bottom of the stack). Lowry is one of the only authors I have ever written to to thank for writing a book, and her book The Giver remains at the top of my favorites reads ever.
King & King Controversy
A Massachusetts 2nd grade teacher has gotten into trouble from parents for reading King & King. Her administrator on the other hand, is supporting her teaching of diversity. As I read the article, it seems to me that the outraged people tend to be the conservative organizations, not individual parents. I also think that children living in families with gay parents have the right to be understood by their classmates and to have books read aloud that mirror their own lives.
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Released in May 2006.
Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins.
Ah, another book in the marvelous Underland series! It is one of those books that despite my huge pile of books waiting to review, I had to start immediately. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Marks of Secret is the fourth book in the series. The books must be read in order, so don’t skip around! Gregor and his toddler sister Boots have returned to the Underland, a hidden civilization under the streets of New York that is filled with talking rats, bats, cockroaches, mice and humans. In the Underland, Gregor is known as The Warrior and has been on a series of adventures. In this book, the Nibblers (mice) are suddenly disappearing, so Luxa, Gregor, Boots, and many favorite characters from the earlier books join together to find out what they can. They expect to only be gone for a short while, but then an avalanche cuts them off from the human settlement. They are forced to take a dangerous journey through the Firelands.
If you have not read the Underland series, it is a must-read! Especially for children who enjoy fantasy. The adventure, pacing, language, setting, and characters are all masterfully presented. In no time at all, you too will be joining me in waiting for Book Five, where a new prophecy will undoubtedly be revealed!
Waking Brain Cells 